Lewis coasts to easy win

Press, 19 December 1981, Page 64

Lewis coasts to easy win

NZPA Sydney The New Zealander, Chris Lewis, played with the mi-das-touch in his quarter-final victory over John Alexander at yesterday's $125,000 Robinson’s N.S.W. tennis open at White City. “It was one of those days where I knew I was going to win,” said Lewis.

“It felt like everything I hit would turn to gold.” Lewis, aged 24, disposed of his old Davis Cup rival with surprising simplicity, beating him in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 to level his personal record with the Australian at twoall. “I wanted to make him volley, especially after his first serve, and' make him work for his shots,” said Lewis.

“J.A. is such a good server that I thought he wouldn't be used to getting so many returns.”

Lewis,, the twelfth seed, has never made it past the third round in this event yet he now stands as a major contender for the title.

If he can reproduce his dazzling form of yesterday, Lewis should give his semifinal opponent, the sixthseeded Mark Edmondson, of New South Wales, all sorts of trouble. Earlier, the American Tim Wilkison apologised for not shaking hands with local hero, Phil Dent, after winning 2-6. 7-5, 6-3. Wilkison will play the Texan, Steve Denton, in the semi-finals after Denton beat the thirteenth seed, Hank Pfister, 6-4, 7-6.